Several hours later, Beverly woke to find the bed beside her empty. Well, not completely empty. The round button eyes of Alexander the Bear stared back at her.

"We've been deserted, Zander," she sighed softly, pushing stray strands of hair off her face.

She stretched and stared up at the ceiling, surprised to find that she wasn't terribly worried about where Jean-Luc was at that moment. It was a nice feeling to know that there were others in the house who would help to keep an eye on him. She rolled over and pulled the warm green blanket closer around her shoulders. She inhaled deeply and smiled. The blanket smelled like Jean-Luc, like his dressing gown, the smell of soap and after-shave lotion. And it made her feel even warmer - and lonelier. She missed him, ached for him. Especially at moments like this, when he wasn't actually there, just the thought of him, the memory of the man he'd been.

She sat up, leaving the blanket on the bed. "Enough," she whispered, and pushed herself onto her feet.

She went next door to her room, changed her clothes, ran a brush through her hair. And then wandered downstairs. She found Marie in the kitchen preparing supper.

"Hello," she greeted. "Did you sleep well?"

Beverly nodded. "I didn't realize I was so tired. I didn't even hear Jean-Luc get up. Where is he?"

"Robert found him sitting at the top of the stairs about a half hour ago, and now they've gone out to the vineyard to inspect some vines and pick some grapes."

"He already loves it here."

"And we love having both of you here," Marie said.

"Thanks. Can I help you do anything?"

"You can sit down at the table and talk to me. I never have any company in this kitchen – especially female company."

Beverly smiled and sat down. "You're sure there's nothing more I can do than talk?"

Marie took a lid off a pot on the stove and stirred the contents with a long wooden spoon. "No, I'm sure. Now, tell me all about Wesley. Jean-Luc used to mention him in his letters."

"Well, he's one of my favorite subjects of conversation, so just remember, you asked."

Marie laughed. "Tell me everything."

Thirty minutes passed, and Beverly found herself talking with Marie as if she'd known her all her life. They had a lot in common. Both mothers with bright, talented sons. And both in love with a Picard man.

"They really are a lot alike," Marie commented, as she cut up red peppers for the salad. "I realized that the last time Jean-Luc was here."

"After his encounter with the Borg," Beverly murmured.

"Yes. It was a difficult time for him, but he's just as stubborn as Robert. Neither of them would admit how similar they are, but they know it themselves. Picards are all cut out of the same cloth. Strong, determined."

Beverly shook her head. "I keep wondering where that strong, determined part of Jean-Luc is right now. Whatever happened to him while he was missing has traumatized him so severely that he's lost that strong part of himself. Although, he hasn't lost the stubborn part," she laughed lightly.

The backdoor opened just then, and Robert, Jean-Luc, and Rene tramped inside, each of them carrying a basket full of grapes.

"Oh, you've been busy," Marie exclaimed, reaching out and taking the baskets from them, and setting them on the kitchen counter.

"We thought you could make some jelly out of these," Robert suggested, putting an arm around her.

"Jelly?" she questioned, looking at the piles of grapes.

"Mum, you haven't made any in a long time," Rene pleaded. "And Uncle Jean-Luc hasn't had any in an even longer time, and Aunt Beverly has never had any, and-"

"Enough. Enough already," Marie sighed. "All anyone has to do is simply ask me nicely," she hinted, raising an eyebrow at her husband.

Robert started to respond, but Jean-Luc spoke first.

"P-please," he stuttered, his gaze shifting from Marie to the baskets of grapes and back again.

"Now, see there. That's all it takes." She reached out and placed a hand against Jean-Luc's cheek. "I'd be happy to make you some jelly, Jean-Luc."

He blushed and turned his eyes away from her, looked toward Beverly, and was met with a warm smile.

"Good, Jean-Luc," she whispered.

~vVv~